Apparatus for the tube spinning of yarn



Nov. 29, 1955 E. J. GRISET, JR., EI'AL APPARATUS FOR THE TUBE SPINNING OF YARN 3 SheetS Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1953 INVENTORS fk/vfsr J 6055. 7; JR, DON/M0 J 6005/, Lou/s lVOTf/STE/N 0 5/?00/(5 M WHITEHUEST ATTORNEY 1955 E. J. GRISET, JR.. HAL 3 3 APPARATUS FOR THE TUBE SPINNING 0F YARN Filed March 10. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 33 I INVENTORS 7 ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1955 E. J. GRISET, JR-.. ETAL 2,724,956

APPARATUS FOR THE TUBE SPINNING OF YARN Filed March 10, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet- 3 INVENTORS Wfib ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 2,724,956 Patented Nov. 29, 1955 APPARATUS FOR THE TUBE SPINNING OF YARN Ernest J. Griset, Jr., Asheville, Donald J. Godehn, Hendersonville, and Louis I. Nothstein, Asheville, N. C., and Brooks M. Whitehurst, White Pine, Tenn., assignors to American Enka Corporation, Erika, N. C., a corporation of Delaware Application March 10, 1953, Serial No. 341,529

Claims. (Cl. 68-181) This invention relates to the continuous spinning of rayon yarn and more particularly to improvements in the art of tube spinning of the type described in Griset application Serial Number 122,560, filed October 20, 1949.

In the Griset application, mentioned above, there is disclosed an arrangement for the aftertreatment of rayon yarn that involves introducing the freshly spun yarn into a tube through which the yarn is propelled by a liquid which also effects a treating operation. After leaving the tube, the yarn is introduced successively into other tubes which are so arranged that the yarn runs back and forth through whatever number of tubes is required to effect the desired aftertreatment. The liquid in each tube is introduced by a jet spaced from the tube mouth in such a way as to define a low pressure zone through which yarn is entrained for propulsion and treatment by the liquid. Yarn ejected from the exit end of each tube is guided by a deflector to a position close to the low pressure zone of the next tube. Once the yarn is spun in, the establishment of a path for both liquid and yarn from the exit end of one tube to the mouth of the next is undesirable and accordingly the deflectors are made to be movable to and from the pathway establishing position.

While the foregoing interrelation of elements is of a revolutionary importance and has resulted in the more rapid and economical production of better quality rayon, the development of commercial machines based upon the principles disclosed in Serial Number 122,560 has been fraught with some difiiculties. Due to the necessity for careful control of the cross section of the tubes, which is related to liquid velocity control, it is highly desirable that the tubes be made of glass. On the other hand, in a commercial machine a certain amount of tube breakage is inevitable and tube replacement under plant op erating conditions is a problem. Furthermore, the movement of the deflectors before and after spinning-in presents a problem in splash control and in consumption of operator time. While a group of tubes is necessary for the aftertreatment of a single yarn, it is evident that, in acornmercial machine, a large number of tube groups are necessary. Standardization of liquid supply and return to these tubes is also a problem inherent in a commercial tube spinning machine.

It is an object of this invention to improve upon the methods and apparatus disclosed in Serial Number 122,5 60 and more particularly to provide for quick and convenient positioning of glass parts, easy fluid supply and return arrangements, splash control, and simple and easy deflector adjustment; all capable of accomplishment with respect to a single group of tubes without interference with the continued operation of the other groups which comprise the machine. 7

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be Figure 1 is a top plan view of a group of tubes for the aftertreatment of rayon yarn;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the tube group of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in plan to an enlarged scale of the left hand end of the tube group of Figure 1 showing a jet box with the tubes, deflectors and jets mounted here: in in operative position;

Figure 4 is a view in section taken on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view partially in section and partially in plan similar to Figure 3 but taken at a plane 5--5 indicated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view in section taken on the line 66 of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6 and showing the arrangement for angular disposition of the deflectors. 7

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a single group of aftertreating tubes and part of the apparatus for delivering the yarn to the tubes and withdrawing it from them. It is to be understood that the group of tubes shown in Figure l is intended to effect the aftertreatrnent of a single yarn or tow and that a commercial machine will comprise a number of such tube groups.

Freshly spun yarn, rom a source not shown, is delivered to a guide 10 above a deflector 11 which leads the yarn and a washing-in liquid to a low pressure zone 12 comprised of a jet 13 co-axially directed toward the mouth of a tube 14. The yarn is entrained in the tube 14 and delivered to the first deflector of a jet box 15 from which it passes into a tube 16 which discharges into a deflector in a jet box 17. The yarn then continues back and forth between jet boxes 15 and 17 until it finally enters tube 1.8 which discharges into an enlarged tube 19 which in turn discharges into a trough 20 from which the yarns are withdrawn at right angles to the general direction of the tube group. The introduction of the yarn to the jet box 15 and the withdrawal of the yarn from the tube 18 do not constitute a part of the present invention but are disclosed and described in applications Serial Numbers 256,631, filed November 16, 1951, now Patent Number 2,675,690 of April 20, 1954, and 346,724, filed April 3, 3, respectively.

If reference is made to Figure 3, which discloses the jet box 15 on an enlarged scale, it will be seen that the box comprises a high rear wall 21, a low intermediate wall 22 and a low forward wall 23. Side walls 24 and 25 are approximately the same height as the rear wall 21. Between the Walls 21 and 22 there extend partitions 26, 27 and 28' which divide the space between the walls 21 and 22 into compartments 29, 30, 31 and 32. Each connection such as the drain 33 from compartment 31 which shows in section in Figure 4 and the drain 34 from the compartment 29 which shows in section in Figure 6. Drain 33 from compartment 31 and drains 35 and 36 from compartments 30 and 32, respectively, are shown in elevation in Figure 6. These drains are in the form of bosses each provided with an external flange at the unsupported end for the reception thereover of a flexible tube to connect the drains to a manifold'common to the various jet boxes with which the machine is equipped, one manifold being used for each different treating liquid on each side of the machine.

The central partition at 22, in addition to partially defining the compartments 29, 30 and 32, also partially defines a large forward waste compartment 37. This compartment contains a single drain spout 38 which is shown in section in both Figures 4 and 6. Across the bottom of the compartment 37, nearer to the wall 22 than to the wall 23, there are located four spaced sockets 39, one of which is clearly shown in Figure 4. Seated removably in the sockets 39 are lead jet supporting and aligning brackets 40 each comprised of a shank 41 seated in the respective socket 39 and divergent branches 42 and 43. A short length of glass tube 44 is mounted at the upper end of the branch 42 with the restricted orifice end thereof directed at the mouth 45 of another short length of tube 46 mounted in the branch 43. Tubes 44 and 46 are both provided with enlarged end portions as at 47 and 48 to receive a flexible sleeve serving to connect them to glass supply and treating tubes, respectively.

Each tube 44 passes through an oversized hole 49 in the rear wall 21 of the jet box 15. Highly flexible large diameter washer t surrounds the tube 44 immediately adjacent the hole at 49 in such a way as to prevent leakage of any liquid from the compartment. A similar flexible washer 51 surrounds the tube 44 at the plane just to the rear of the plane of partition 22. This washer is a rectangular one and serves to bridge between the partitions which define the compartments and the partition 22. The branch 43 of the bracket 40 rests in a saddle at 52 in the forward wall 23.

By the arrangement just described it can be seen that each jet unit is in the form of a prefabricated subassembly which is easily disconnected from the rest of the system and easily removed from the jet box. Note that if the stem 41 of the bracket 46 is lifted out of the socket 39 and the entire subassembly is turned and pulled upwardly and to the right from the Figure 4 position, the jet is easily removed for replacement or repair.

The bracket 40 is cast in lead and the short lengths of tubing 44 and 46' are installed in prealigned and properly spaced position before the subassembly is installed in the box. This means that once the jet assembly is in the box, further adjustments in cramped quarters are unnecessary and hence avoided.

The side walls 24 and 25 act as journals for a shaft 53 which has mounted thereon deflectors 54, 55, 56, and 57. Shaft 53 is provided with a flat extending cordwise thereof while each deflector is provided with a set screw such as the screw 57 shown in Figure 4 whereby the deflectors are individually positioned on and locked to the shaft 53 against rotation relative thereto. The angular position of the deflectors is adjustable, however, as can be understood by reference to Figure 7. Note that the shaft 53 has a small plate 58 extending tangentially therefrom in a position to be acted upon by a screw 59 having a knurled head 69. The screw 59 is mounted in a bracket 61 attached to the side wall 24 of the jet box. Also mounted in the bracket 6?. is a screw 62 having a knurled head 63. As can be seen in Figure 7, the screw 62 is a locking screw to hold screw 59 in position.

When the operator Wants to adjust the angular position of the deflectors 54, 55, 56, and 57, he loosens screw 62" and adjusts screw 59 in the desired direction whereupon screw 62 is again locked. Note that the plate 58 from shaft 53 is so mounted in relation to the deflectors that the latter tend to rotate the shaft 53 in a counterclockwise direction from the position of Figure 7.

The shaft 53 is free to slide back and forth in the side walls 24; and 25 of the jet box and, to this end, it is provided with a knob 64 at one end. It can be seen that by pulling the knob 64 in a direction away from. the plate 24 it is easily possible simultaneously to move all of the deflectors away from their position registering with mouth 45.

The details of thejet box havenow been described and upon reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be-seen that'thejet box 17 is identical with the box 15, except for being oppositely directed. Because the particular spinning system disclosed involves the use of only 7' tubes, one of the compartments of the box 17 is not 4 used and the drain from the unused compartment is not connected to a manifold and, indeed, may be plugged.

All of the jet units are of the type shown in Figure 4 and the treating tubes leading from one jet box to another are connected by a flexible sleeve over flange 48 or its equivalent. The aftertreating tubes are not straight, however, but terminate in a bend such as the bend at 65 in the tube 66 which leads to the compartment 31 and registers with the upper end of the deflector 56 when the lower end is in registry with the low pressure zone at 45. Each jet box is provided with a bar 67 extending across its top between the side Walls 24 and 25. This bar has an upstanding plate 68 which is notched to receive rubber sleeves such as 69 which are slipped over the treating tubes so that they may be firmly held.

During spinning-in the liquid issuing from the exit end of each treating tube flows into one of the deflectors and the liquid, with its entrained yarn, flows down the defiector to the next jet in the system. The jet entrains the yarn while the liquid flows into chamber 37, or its equivalent, through spout 38, or its equivalent, to waste. Once spinning-in is completed, however, the deflectors are laterally moved by shifting the shaft 53 so that the exit end of each treating tube, with the exception of tube 38, discharges into one of the compartments 29, 30, 31, or 32, in the box 15, or their equivalent in the box 1'7. Under these conditions the liquid tends to impinge upon the tube leading to the next jet. This can be seen if one looks at Figure 4 where the spout 65 directs liquid from tube 66 into compartment 31 with impingement against tube 44. Forward creepage of this liquid to the waste chamber 37 is avoided by the washers 51 which fit tightly around the tube 44.

The various jets in the several boxes are fed from manifolds 70, '71, '72, '73, 74, '75 and 76 supported from parts 77 and 78 of the machine frame. The liquid which carries the yarn into the jet box 15 in the first instance is supplied from a manifold at- 79. The flow of liquid from the manifolds to the jet units is quite apparent from Figure 2.

The various drains from the various compartments, such as the compartments 29, 30, 31 and 32, permit recirculation and recovery of treating liquids. There is very little waste during spinning-in and virtually no waste resulting from splash due to the simultaneous lateral shifting of the deflectors. On the other hand, if the machine is functioning improperly, as for example in the case of a yarn break which causes one of the compartments, such as 31, to become clogged, the resulting liquid automatically flows to waste over the partition 22 and washer 51 rather than spilling over the side of the box or into an adjacent compartment containing a different liquid.

The boxes are held by a cradle assembly which is shown in Figure 2 and brackets for supporting the tubes 14 and 18 extend forwardly from the supporting assembly which can be seen in Figure 2. The finish liquid in the tube 18 isnot discharged into a compartment but flows through tube 19 into a trough 20 from which it and the yarn are separately recovered.

Since each treating tube is connected at its input end to one of the short tubes 46 and since it is supportednear its exit end from the plate 68, it is evident that the two jet boxes, as shown in Figure 2, afford a very easy and convenient way for supporting the treating tubes for easy removal.

What is claimed is:

1. Tube spinning apparatus comprising a box; means subdividing the box into a plurality of compartments open from above; a plurality of jet units each including, a tube having a nozzle, a tube having a mouth and a bracket holding said tubes with the nozzle spaced from themouth to define a yarn introduction space; said units being supported in said box in mutually parallel relationship out of vertical registry with said compartments; treating tubes, means on said box to support said treating tubes with their ends each in a position above and directed toward one of said compartments to discharge liquid and yarn therein; a plurality of deflectors; and means mounting said deflectors in spaced relationship in planes parallel to the planes of the jet units for movement transversely of the planes of the jet units to and from a position in which each deflector bridges from the discharge end of a treating tube to the respective yarn introduction space of a jet unit.

2. Tube spinning apparatus comprising a box; means subdividing the box into a plurality of compartments open from above; a plurality of jet units each including a tube having a nozzle, a tube having a mouth and a bracket holding said tubes with the nozzle spaced from the mouth to define a yarn introduction space; means to hold the units in mutually parallel relationship in the box out of vertical registry with said compartments; treating tubes, means on said box to support said treating tubes with their ends each in vertical registry with one of said compartments in a position to discharge liquid and yarn therein; a plurality of deflectors, and means mounting said deflectors in spaced parallel relationship for simultaneous angular adjustment and for simultaneous movement to and from a position in which each deflector bridges the discharge end of a treating tube and the respective yarn introduction space of a jet unit.

3. Tube spinning apparatus comprising a box, means subdividing the box into a plurality of compartments open from above; a plurality of jet units each including a tube having a nozzle, a tube having a mouth and a bracket holding said tubes with the nozzle spaced from the mouth to define a yarn introduction space; said units being supported in said box in mutually parallel relationship out of vertical registry with said compartments; treating tubes, means on said box to support said treating tubes with their ends each in vertical registry with one of said compartments in a position to discharge liquid and yarn therein; a plurality of deflectors; a shaft; means on said box supporting said shaft for axial movement transversely of said jet units; means to adjust the angular position of said shaft; said deflectors being fixed to said shaft at spaced points therealong to register with the discharge ends of the treating tubes and the respective yarn introduction spaces of the jets.

4. In tube spinning apparatus that includes a liquid supply nozzle, conduit means having a mouth in spaced aligned relation to said nozzle to receive liquid issuing therefrom, a deflector, a yarn source thereabove and means mounting said deflector for linear movement to and from a position for guiding yarn from said source into the space between said nozzle and mouth to be entrained by the liquid issuing from said nozzle.

5. In tube spinning apparatus that includes a plurality of mutually adjacent, generally parallel liquid supply nozzles, a plurality of conduit means, each conduit means having a mouth in aligned spaced relation to one of said nozzles and a discharge end above the next adjacent nozzle, a deflector associated with the discharge end of each conduit means, means mounting said deflectors for simultaneous movement generally normal to the nozzle axes to and from a vertically aligned position establishing a liquid and thread passageway between the respective discharge end and space between the nozzle and mouth therebelow.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,025,577 Diehl Dec. 24, 1935 2,172,522 Sline Sept. 12, 1939 2,182,378 Gunn Dec. 5, 1939 2,183,677 Heath Dec. 19, 1939 2,360,352 Lodge Oct. 17, 1944 

